Toby Carvery - Kenton Bank

OK so this was Easter Sunday and I know things would have been quite busy, so when I took my elderly Mum here for Sunday dinner I had already accepted what I have just acknowledged. However, that is where the good news stops; I'll just cut to the chase - IT WAS COLD AND I MEAN VERY COLD. Most of the things that had been on offer in the pots at the carvery servery were empty so I'm guessing they had been there for quite a long time but we persevered anyway. My Mum was really struggling with the cold food and lack of gravy (as the containers that were supposed to contain gravy were simply empty); eventually my Mum just gave up on her dinner. We did raise this with the staff when we asked to pay. Of course we heard staff asking other customers if their meals had been alright but I feel they were just being polite when they said yes fine - because they just weren't. Being honest the staff were really nice and we were offered some free puddings but declined (two bad courses won't make up for one dreadful main course). The manager Chris did adjust our bill to reflect our negative experience and being honest he seemed to listen to what we had to say - but honestly Toby Carvery - this is your business and it isn't rocket science. If your business relies on good food and hospitality, then at least make sure you have things available and at a temperature that could be described as fit for purpose. Looking back, if Environmental Health had checked those temperatures you may have had a bit of an issue. In addition to this, the website offer stated 25% off all (QUOTE ALL) mains up to 20th May 2025. This being the case, PLEASE then don't hide and exclude Sundays in the small print - at least have the decency to be up front about your offers - I felt it was deceptive at best! Looking back when I arrived home, I looked at the rest of the reviews for this carvery and I wish I had looked before I booked. I find it astonishing to find a LOT of other people stating their meals were cold. May be a great idea to sort this out and stop saying thank you to people for leaving honest reviews and actually do something about it. Disappointed Tim

This was honestly the worst experience I have ever experienced. Waited over 10 minutes to be seated. Asked staff if I could seat myself on one of the numerous empty table to be told only a manager can seat people. However when we were eventually seated saw various staff seat people. Waited again for someone to serve us at the carvery and no apology for the wait. The food was below standard, it had clearly been sat out for a long time. The tables were poorly lighted and people sat around us were getting tired of waiting for the bill they had asked for 10 minutes prior. We looked at the puddings and chose what we wanted, but were then sat waiting for someone to take our order that we decided to skip in the end. Flagging someone down to give us the bill was another task, the lack of staff was shocking to the 6 tables that had people on. Then once someone was spotted it took them another 10 minutes to bring it over. This Toby has got to be the worst Toby I have ever visited and I honestly wished I stayed home and cooked a bloody roast myself.

A young lad named Chris was our waiter, to our group or 10, he was very sweet. Had Patience of a saint with us women! To have only been here for 4 months, well, he is wonderful with his customer service skills, very polite, helpful and efficient. Good luck to your with your college journey sam. Pleasure to meet you. Thankyou for a wonderful service. He even helped take our photo.